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Travel to Spain is easy and cheap, low-cost airlines fly from most UK airports and other European countries. You can take your car by ferry or use other public transport to travel there. Spanish airports handle large volumes of passengers with an ease that puts their UK counterparts to shame. Accommodation ranges from low-cost to five-star luxury and can be found in cities, small towns and villages. In all respects Spain is a modern European country offering everything you expect in terms of accommodation and service, and some pleasant surprises too, especially when you leave the coastal areas and move inland.

 

This supplement looks at the Spanish region of Andalucía (see inset location map), concentrating on birdwatching and other outdoor activities, trying to answer the question ‘Can you combine birdwatching with a family holiday?’

For many couples and families the choice of a holiday destination, and what to do when on holiday is a source of conflict. Let’s face it, some of us hate beach holidays whilst others can soak up the sun all day then party all night. What sounds like heaven to one is purgatory to another.

The key to an enjoyable holiday for everyone is a bit of give and take and not expecting to get all your own way. With that in mind, let's look at Spain, and in particular the southern region of Andalucía. This is a land of mixed geography ranging from both atlantic and mediterranean coasts, across the fertile lowlands and into the high sierra mountains. A land that provides holiday possibilities that are hard to beat and all within easy travelling distance.

Spain

Forget the stereotypes of bullfighting, beach holidays and sunburn. Imagine a country of 17 autonomous regions with less than two-thirds of the UK population but more than twice the land area, lying at the crossroads of civilization, only 13 km (8 miles) from Africa but geographically and culturally part of Europe. A land that must have been one of the first to be conquered by the Romans when they left Italy, and whose main language still reflects that. If you have learned Latin you will be amazed how similar Spanish is, and how quickly you can pick up words.

Feathered World - Supplement November 2008 - Tarifa Bird Fair 2008 and Birdwatching in Andalucía :-: Page 1 of 8